Who we are
History
Japanese incarceration in the United States during World War II is a dark chapter often glossed over in American history where the constitutional principles of free speech and civil liberties were tried and severely violated. Three months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, F.D.R. enacted Executive Order 9066, authorizing the forced removal and effective imprisonment of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, many of whom had never stepped foot in Japan. During this period of war-time anxiety, overt racism, and the widespread archetype of alien security threats, people of Japanese ancestry were exiled from their homes and shipped to tented concentration camps lined with barbed wire and armed guards.
An attestation to the free speech violations during this era was the negligible number of dissenting voices within the Japanese American community. Fearing government reprisal and of being perceived as traitorous, the majority of Japanese-Americans censored themselves and their children from expressing their grievances over their ill-treatment, and from questioning government actions. However, some journalists, religious leaders, and civil rights activists, among other prominent figures, condemned the incarceration as a violation of fundamental American values and advocated for the rights of those affected by mass removal.
It was not until the 1970s and 80s that the US government officially acknowledged the injustice of Japanese American Incarceration by rescinding Executive Order 9066. The Civil Liberties Act was authorized by Ronald Reagan in 1988, which amounted to a formal petition of apology along with monetary reparations to surviving detainees.
The legacy of Japanese American WWII incarceration serves as a sobering reminder of the fragility of civil liberties, especially in times of anxiety and uncertainty. It encapsulates the importance of safeguarding free speech and the rights of marginalized groups, especially in the face of prejudice and discrimination.
Our mission
This mini-documentary was created to shed light on the struggles faced by Japanese Americans during the time of widespread incarceration and mistreatment, especially pertaining to the subtle yet prominent violation of free speech. Even today, censorship is unmistakably prevalent, whether that be in journalism, social media, or even interpersonally. Much like the heinous oppressions of free speech Japanese Americans faced, censorship threatens to stifle dissent where such voices need to be heard.
By showcasing the stories of those silenced, we hope to remind people of the importance of safeguarding free speech to ensure such transgressions do not repeat. Our documentary not only honors their experiences, and that of the over one hundred thousand Japanese Americans who faced incarceration, but also highlights the enduring relevance of defending freedom of expression today. As you watch our film, we invite you to confront the impact of censorship, whether that be in the past, present, or future, and reflect on what can be done to ensure the right to free speech continues to be upheld.
Featuring
Miya Iwataki
Miya Iwataki began her rich activism journey as a college student in the 60s when she entered a Brown Berets meeting by chance, causing her to realize the Asian activism movement was lacking compared to Black or Latinx communities. Today, she has collected numerous accolades as the Vice-President of both the Little Tokyo Historical Society and the Little Tokyo Community Impact Fund, Executive Director of the first Asian Women Center in the U.S., host for KPFK-FM East Wind Radio, columnist for the Rafu Shimpo, National Press Secretary for Congressman Mervyn Dymally, National Legislative Director for Nikkei for Civil Rights and Redress, and architect for culturally and linguistically inclusive programs at LA County Heath. Notably, her columns, poetry, and other writings have been a result of an appreciation for the impact of language on our culture. Recently, Iwataki has spoken on behalf of the National Nikkei Reparations Coalition, who are currently hard at work fighting for Black reparations.
Kathy Masaoka
Having grown up in the ethnically diverse Boyle Heights, Kathy Masaoka has been invested in building solidarity among marginalized communities. Since the 1970s, she has worked on youth, workers, and housing issues in Little Tokyo, and on Japanese American redress. Today, she is the co-chair of the Nikkei for Civil RIghts and Redress (NCRR). In the past, she worked on the NCRR 9/11 Committee to help build relationships with the American Muslim community, as well as represented the NCRR to support the rights of Koreans and other minorities in Japan. She has also served on the Editorial Team for the book NCRR: The Grassroots Struggle for Japanese American Redress and Reparations, and helped educate about camps through the film Stand Up for Justice.
Mark Masaoka
Mark Masaoka, now the treasurer of Little Tokyo Community Impact Fund, has held a plethora of titles throughout his life. He has formerly been Policy Director of the Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council (A3PCON) from 2008-2017, Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Los Angeles County Children’s Planning Council from 2004-2008, and Director of the Human Services Alliance from 2001-2004. Recently, Masaoka has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates.